Omari Gates
Paraquat is a fast-acting, non-selective herbicide that is widely used in Australia. Despite being banned in over 67 countries due to its toxicity, it remains available for use by trained operators in Australia, where it is registered for use in agricultural, horticultural, and weed control situations. While the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA) has been reviewing paraquat's safety since 1997 and has proposed stricter regulations, it has not yet been banned in the country. This is despite growing evidence of a link between paraquat exposure and Parkinson's disease, with Australia's top neurologists and Parkinson's organisations calling for a ban to protect public health.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Is paraquat banned in Australia? | No |
| Number of countries that have banned paraquat | 67-70 |
| Reasons for ban | Severe health risks, including links to Parkinson's disease |
| Organisations calling for a ban in Australia | Parkinson's Australia, Movement Disorder Society of Australia and New Zealand (MDSANZ), Australian and New Zealand Association of Neurologists (ANZAN), Rochester University, Parkinson's NSW |
| Australian organisations opposing a ban | National Farmers Federation, Grain Producers Australia (GPA), National Farmers' Federation (NFF) |
| Australian regulator | Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA) |
| APVMA's stance on the link between paraquat and Parkinson's disease | No robust association when used in accordance with label directions |
| Paraquat's classification in Australia | Schedule 7 poison, requiring a license to purchase |
| Paraquat's use in Australia | Registered for use in agriculture, horticulture, and weed control |
| Paraquat's toxicity | Acute risk to native mammals and birds, potential risk to humans and the environment |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
Paraquat is linked to Parkinson's disease
Paraquat is a non-selective herbicide that is used to kill most plants on contact. It is registered for use in a range of agricultural and horticultural situations and for weed control in other situations like roadsides and firebreaks. Paraquat is very restricted and only available for use by trained operators, and it must be kept locked up. Despite these restrictions, paraquat is still easily accessible in Australia, where it is only listed as a Schedule 7 poison, which requires a license to purchase.
Paraquat has been linked to an increased risk of developing Parkinson's disease. Research has consistently demonstrated the connection between paraquat exposure and Parkinson's disease. Even minimal exposure to the chemical can have devastating effects. Participants with Parkinson's disease were 2.5 times more likely than control groups to have reported the use of paraquat. The pathogenic causes of Parkinson's include Lewy bodies, intracellular protein clumps of α-synuclein, and the degeneration of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra's pars compacta region. Paraquat is believed to be a cause of Parkinson's due to its unique neurotoxicity, which has been observed to change the pathophysiology of the disease.
The link between paraquat and Parkinson's disease has been supported by numerous neurologists, scientists, and organisations. Australia's top neurologists have called for a ban on the chemical due to its links with Parkinson's. Dr. David Blacker has amassed more than 40 signatures from colleagues in clinical neurology, including 31 neurologists, eight movement disorder specialists, and 10 professors, joining his submission to the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA). The Movement Disorder Society of Australia and New Zealand (MDSANZ) and the Australian and New Zealand Association of Neurologists (ANZAN) have also supported the call for a ban, with the latter calling Australia an "outlier" for its continued use of the chemical.
Despite the growing evidence and support for a ban, the APVMA has not yet banned paraquat in Australia. In its review of paraquat published in August 2024, the APVMA concluded that there was not a robust association between exposure to paraquat and the development of Parkinson's disease when used according to label directions. However, it has been revealed that the science underpinning the APVMA's advice was based on an unpublished paper funded by the maker of paraquat, Syngenta. The APVMA has proposed removing some uses of paraquat that pose unacceptable risks to the environment, but it has not addressed the health risks associated with the chemical.
Best Places to Buy Australian Dollars
You may want to see also
Explore related products
It is classified as a Schedule 7 poison
Paraquat is a non-selective herbicide that is used in a range of agricultural and horticultural situations for weed control. It is currently not banned in Australia, but it is classified as a Schedule 7 poison. This classification means that it is a dangerous poison that requires a licence to purchase. Paraquat is very restricted and only available for use by trained operators, and it must be kept locked up.
The Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA) has been reviewing paraquat's safety since 1997. In August 2024, the APVMA proposed removing a number of current uses at high rates of application that pose an unacceptable risk to the environment and a short-term risk of poisoning for humans. However, the APVMA's review concluded that there was not a robust association between exposure to paraquat and the development of Parkinson's disease when used in accordance with label directions. This conclusion was also reached by the US EPA.
Despite the APVMA's conclusion, there is growing scientific evidence linking paraquat exposure to an increased risk of developing Parkinson's disease. This evidence has led organisations such as Parkinson's Australia and the Australian and New Zealand Association of Neurologists (ANZAN) to call for a ban on the use of paraquat in Australia. They argue that the toxicity of paraquat poses a serious health risk to the public, including farmers who have a 150% increased risk of developing Parkinson's disease.
In response to the calls for a ban, the APVMA has stated that it will consider all submissions prior to finalising its regulatory decision. The APVMA maintains an adverse experience reporting program and encourages individuals who believe they have been exposed to paraquat or experienced negative health effects to submit a report. The APVMA also cooperates with Poisons Information Centres to ensure awareness of health issues associated with the use of agvet chemicals.
Applying to be an Au Pair in Australia: A Guide
You may want to see also
Explore related products
$15.01 $19.99
It is used in agriculture and horticulture
Paraquat is a non-selective herbicide, meaning it kills most plants on contact. It is used in agriculture and horticulture, as well as for weed control in other situations like roadsides and firebreaks. Paraquat is registered for use in a range of agricultural and horticultural contexts. In agriculture, it is critical to maintaining sustainable farming practices in Australia. For example, in key grain-growing regions, paraquat is used to control weeds and preserve soil moisture. Mr Pete Arkle, interim CEO of Grain Producers Australia (GPA), has stated that without the use of paraquat, topsoil would be lost and farmers would have to revert to ploughing fields to control weeds, which historically led to dust storms and the sedimentation of rivers.
Paraquat is also used as an alternative for weeds that are resistant to glyphosate, another common herbicide. There are more than 140 products on the Australian market that include paraquat as a registered ingredient. Paraquat is very restricted and only available for use by trained operators, and it must be kept locked up. Some products with a low concentration of diquat are less restricted, but products with higher concentrations are also very restricted.
However, paraquat is a highly toxic chemical that has been banned in more than 67 countries due to its severe health risks. As of 2025, 70 countries have banned its use. Despite this, paraquat continues to be widely used in Australia. Parkinson's organisations worldwide have been investigating the issue for some time, and there is growing scientific evidence of a link between paraquat exposure and an increased risk of developing Parkinson's disease. Research has also supported the hypothesis that paraquat leads to the death of dopamine-producing cells in the brains of mice exposed to it.
In 2024, Australia's top neurologists called for a ban on paraquat, citing its links to Parkinson's disease. WA-based neurologist Dr David Blacker amassed more than 40 signatures from colleagues in clinical neurology, supporting his submission to the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA). The Movement Disorder Society of Australia and New Zealand (MDSANZ) and the Australian and New Zealand Association of Neurologists (ANZAN) also backed the call for a ban.
Shrek's Australian Rating: Is It Suitable for Children?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
It is banned in over 67 countries
Paraquat is a non-selective herbicide that kills most plants on contact. It is currently permitted for use in Australia, but it is banned in over 67 countries due to its toxicity and severe health risks. These countries include the UK, Europe, China, Canada, and many more. The Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA) has been reviewing paraquat's safety since 1997 and has proposed stricter regulations. However, advocacy groups such as Parkinson's Australia are calling for a complete ban on the chemical due to growing scientific evidence linking paraquat exposure to an increased risk of developing Parkinson's disease.
Parkinson's disease is an incurable, progressive, degenerative neurological condition that affects a person's movement. It is the fastest-growing neurodegenerative disease globally, with over 150,000 Australians living with it. There is a cluster of Parkinson's disease cases in a Victorian farming community, and several studies have linked the use of paraquat in agricultural settings to a heightened incidence of the disease. The Movement Disorder Society of Australia and New Zealand (MDSANZ) and the Australian and New Zealand Association of Neurologists (ANZAN) have also supported calls for a ban, citing the strong medical evidence.
While farmers' groups argue that paraquat is critical to maintaining sustainable farming practices in Australia, the potential health risks cannot be ignored. Paraquat is listed as a Schedule 7 poison in Australia, requiring a license to purchase. The APVMA maintains that there is no robust association between paraquat exposure and Parkinson's disease when used according to label directions. However, the weight of evidence suggests that the chemical poses unacceptable risks to the environment and native species, and there are concerns about the impact on human health as well.
The final regulatory decision by the APVMA is pending, and they have invited submissions of additional data to inform their decision. Parkinson's Australia has started a petition to ban paraquat, and individuals affected by Parkinson's disease are invited to share their stories to strengthen the case for a ban. With growing concerns about the severe health and environmental risks posed by paraquat, Australia may soon join the list of countries that have banned this toxic chemical.
Blue Bottle Sightings: Australia's Coastal Hazard
You may want to see also
Explore related products
$22.48 $26.49
Australia's APVMA is reviewing its safety
Australia's chemical regulator, the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA), is reviewing the safety of the herbicide paraquat. Paraquat is a common herbicide used by farmers to control weeds and preserve soil moisture. It is listed as a schedule 7 poison in Australia, which requires a licence to purchase.
The APVMA's review was prompted by growing concerns about the potential health and environmental risks associated with paraquat. More than 70 countries have banned the use of paraquat due to its severe health risks, particularly its strong links to Parkinson's disease. While the APVMA's initial conclusion was that there was insufficient evidence to support a direct causal link between paraquat and Parkinson's disease when used according to label directions, they have since been reviewing paraquat's safety since 1997 and are open to new evidence.
The APVMA has received submissions from various organisations and individuals, including Parkinson's Australia, neurologists, and the Movement Disorder Society of Australia and New Zealand (MDSANZ). These submissions have highlighted the potential risks to human health, particularly the development of Parkinson's disease, as well as the environmental impact of paraquat. There is also growing evidence of a correlation between heightened incidences of Parkinson's disease in environments where paraquat is used, with some studies indicating a direct link between exposure and the development of the disease.
In response to these submissions and concerns, the APVMA has proposed stricter regulations for paraquat use. They have suggested removing some current uses at high rates that pose an unacceptable risk to the environment and human health. The APVMA maintains that there is no imminent risk to human health or food safety, but they will take immediate action if such risks are identified. The APVMA encourages individuals who believe they have been exposed to paraquat or experienced negative health effects to submit reports through their adverse experience reporting program.
While the APVMA's review and proposed regulatory changes are a step towards ensuring the safe use of paraquat, some advocates continue to call for a complete ban on the chemical in Australia, citing the severe health and environmental risks. It remains to be seen whether the APVMA's final regulatory decision will implement stricter regulations or align with the actions of other countries in banning paraquat to protect public safety.
Australian Government Bonds: Safe Investment or Risky Business?
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
No, paraquat is not banned in Australia. It is listed as a schedule 7 poison, which requires a licence to purchase.
The Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA) concluded that there is not a robust association between exposure to paraquat and the development of Parkinson's disease when used in accordance with label directions.
The APVMA has been reviewing paraquat's safety since 1997 and is proposing removing a number of current uses at high rates that pose an unacceptable risk to the environment. The APVMA's proposed regulatory decision on paraquat was open for public consultation until 29 October 2024.
There is growing scientific evidence from multiple studies linking paraquat exposure to an increased risk of developing Parkinson's disease. This includes research demonstrating a correlation between heightened incidence of Parkinson's disease in environments where paraquat is used, as well as studies showing that greater exposure leads to a greater risk.
Parkinson's Australia, the Australian and New Zealand Association of Neurologists (ANZAN), the Movement Disorder Society of Australia and New Zealand (MDSANZ), and other world-leading scientists are among those calling for a ban on paraquat in Australia.
